Combined adjustable desk and easel



Sept. 14, 1954 E. A. DI CENSO 2,689,157

COMBINED ADJUSTABLE masx AND EASEL Filed Dec. 9, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. a a M p 14, 1954 E. A. D] CENSO COMBINED ADJUSTABLE DESK AND EASEL I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 9. 1952 MOHk a INVENITOR. BY

Patented Sept. 14, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,689,157 S COMBINED ADJUSTABLE DESK AND EASEL Edward A. Di Cens0, Wa-yland, N. 3?.

Application December 9, 1952, Serial No. 324,955

6 Claims. (Cl. 311-38)v The present invention relates to adjustable desks and easels, and more particularly, to a combined adjustabledesk and easel which is adapted for selective use such as fora drawing desk of the type: utilized by draftsmen or drafting students, or as an easel of the type utilized by artists or art students.

In educational institutions, there is a need for furniture of a type which is readily adaptable to varied uses. In drawing classes, drawing boards or desks of one type are customarily used, and in other fine art classes, easels are usually required. A drawing desk or table such as is utilized by drafting students is usually not suitable for use in other art classes because of the fact that drafting tables or desk tops are: either horizontal or only slightly inclined from a horizontal plane, whereas easels'are normally inclined at an angle that more nearly approaches a vertical plane. Therefore, drafting classes are generally held in a room. separate from that in which fine art classes are held, and each room is suitably furnished separately, according to the class of work to be performed. If, however, furniture for either class were readily convertible from a relatively flat desk or table to an easel, or vice versa, only a single type" of furniture would be required to accommodate both classes, with the result that these types of classrooms would be furnished with greater facility than presently the case.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an adjustable combination. desk and easel which is capable of being readily and simply converted from a drawing desk or table such would be utilized in drafting classes, to an easel such as would be better suited to art classes.

Another object is to provide a desk according to the foregoing objective, having a work surface which is capable of being adjusted to a plurality of moderately" inclined drawing positions ranging from a substantially horizontal position to one approaching the angular disposition of an easel, and which also is capable of being adjusted to a plurality of more steeply inclined easel positions ranging: from the drawing positions aforesaid to a substantially vertical position.

Still another object is to provide a desk or table according to the foregoing objectives, which includes a base, a top, and means pi-votall'y and slid'ably mounting the top on the base, and a plurality of cooperatively inter engag'eable means for holding the topin selected adjusted 2 positions, said inter-engageable means being disengaged by sliding movements of the top relative to the base to allow pivotal movement of the top, and being re-engaged upon sliding movement of the top either in. the opposite direction, or farther in the same direction, to lock the same in. each selected position.

Specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a desk. or table having a top, with a pair of spaced supports or bracketsdisposed. at opposite sides of the top, these brackets having a plurality of notches or recesses in each end thereoi', and also having a longitudinally extended opening therethrough. A supporting rod is preferably provided on the base and' extends through the longitudinal openings in the brackets, and the base is also provided with stop means adapted to be selectively engaged in the notches in one end of the brackets, and additional stop means are provided and are adapted to be selectively engaged in the notches in the other end of the brackets, these stop means being disposed in difiter'ent planes, whereby engagement of one stop means in the notches in one end of the brackets'will allow selective angular adjustment of the top relative to the base for a portion of the total angular adjustability thereof, and engagement of the other stop means in the notches in. the other end of the brackets will allow selective angular adjustment of the top relative to the base for the remainder of the range of angular adjustabi-l ity thereof.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be hereinafter described or will become obvious, and the novel features thereof will be defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation, showing an adjustable desk or table embodying the present invention, and illustrating in full lines one drawing positionof the top, and also illustrating in dotted lines the top in another drawing position, certain of the parts being broken away and other parts being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing in full lines one" easel position of the top, and showing in dotted lines another easel position;

Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation;

Fig. 4' is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of a modified desk or table construction embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the base or frame of the modified form of Fig. 4.

In the drawings and in the following detailed 3 description, like reference characters designate corresponding parts.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown one embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment being in the form of a combined adjustable drawing desk and easel which is preferably fabricated of wood.

The desk includes a base generally designated I having a pair of vertically disposed, spaced standards 2 of any desired configuration. Disposed towards the rear of the base and transversely extended between the standards 2, there is preferably provided a receptacle 3 for drawing paper or other materials. This receptacle is composed of a relatively high inner wall 4, a relatively low outer wall 5 which is spaced from the inner wall, and a bottom wall 6 which spans the inner and outer walls at the bottom thereof. In addition to forming the receptacle 3, these members 4, 5 and 6 are suitably secured to the standards 2 and therefore serve to rigidly connect the standards together.

The desk also includes a top generally designated I, which preferably has the form of a fiat top board 8 of rectangular form. Secured to the front edge of the board 8 is an upstanding marginal bead or ledge 9, and a downwardly proj ecting bead or flange l secured to the rear and side of the board 8 to reinforce the same, as well as form a trim for these edges.

According to the salient features of this invention, means are provided for adjustably mounting the top I on the base I in such a manner that the top is selectively adjustable to a plurality of different angular positions where it may be utilized as a drawing desk for drafting students, draftsmen and the like, and also selectively adjustable to a plurality of different angular positions where it may be utilized as an easel for fine art students, artists and the like.

The novel structure for accomplishing this result, comprises a transversely extended rod or dowel II disposed between the standards 2 and located adjacent to the upper front corner of the base. The dowel II not only constitutes a support for the top I, but it also aids in tying the standards 2 rigidly together. A pair of topsupporting brackets l2 secured to the top I and depending therefrom near its opposite ends are slidably and pivotally .mounted on the rod ll, these brackets. each having a longitudinally extended slot I3 therethrough through which the rod I I extends. One end of the slot I3 is formed with an upwardly projecting notch or reces I3 for a purpose which will hereinafter be pointed out.

In addition, each bracket I2 is provided with a plurality of notches l4 and I5, respectively, formed in the opposite ends thereof, the notches I4 being substantially elongated, as is clearly shown in the drawings. Adapted to selectively cooperate with the notches I4 is a rod, dowel or other suitable means l6 which is located adjacent to the upper rear corner of the base I. Additional short rods, dowels or studs I! located adjacent to the front of the base and on a plane below the rods II and [6 are also provided for cooperative selective inter-engagement with the notches I5 in the brackets l2. The transversely extended members l6 and I1 constitute stop mean which are engageable in the notches l4 and I5 in the opposite ends of the brackets l2, as will be evident from the description which follows.

Adjustment of the angular disposition of the top I relative to the base I is accomplished as follows:

Referring to Fig. 1, there are three notches l4 shown in the bracket l2, and the member [6 is shown seated in the intermediate notch. Therefore the top is disposed in an intermediate position of angular adjustment afforded by this particular series of notches I4. In order to shift the top of the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1, the front edge of the top is elevated so as to unseat the supporting dowel l I from the notch l3, and the top is then slid forwardly (to the right as seen in Fig. 1) until the brackets have shifted a distance equal to the length of slots I3. The length of slots I3 is greater than the depth of notches l4, and, therefore, this forward sliding movement of the top I disengageg the member l6 from the notches I4, and the top is free to pivot on the dowel l I. Thereupon, the top may be rocked downwardly until the lowermost notch I4 is registered with the member [5, and the top is then slid rearwardly (to the left as seen in Fig. 1) until the member I6 fully seats in the lowermost notch I4. At this time, the weight of the top will pivot the top about the rod II and cause the dowel II to be engaged in the notch I3 to lock the top in its adjusted position.

If it be desired to adjust the top I to an easel position from one of the drawing positions aforesaid, the initial operation of elevating the front side of the top and sliding the same forwardly is the same as that just described; but, before the dowel II reaches the rear end of the slot I3, the forward end of the top is swung downwardly about the dowel II until one of the notches l5 of each bracket I2 is registered with the studs or dowels II. If the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 be desired, the top is slid in a direction to engage the intermediate notch l5 with the studs H, but if the position shown in broken lines of Fig. 2 be preferred, the uppermost notch I5 is engaged with the studs [1.

While the illustrative embodiment shows only three notches I4 and I5 in the respective ends of the brackets I2, it is obvious that any desired number of notches may be provided, depending upon the desired or required number of positions of angular adjustment in either the'drawing or the easel position. In other words, it is not necessary that the number of notches in the opposite ends of the respective brackets be the same, or that the number be limited to the precise number shown in the drawings.

In Figs. 4 and 5, a modified construction embodying the present invention is illustrated, and in general respects, the construction and relative arrangement of the elements are the same as in the illustrated embodiment of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, except for the specific form of the base. The brackets and the relative location and function of the notches and rods or studs are the same, and, therefore, the same reference characters are applied to Figs. 4 and 5 that are utilized for Figs. 1, 2 and 3, except in those instances where the specific structure is different.

The base I of Figs. 4 and 5 is preferably fabricated of tubular metal stock which forms a substantially U-shaped base, this base including opposed, spaced, substantially upright portions or standards [8, I8 which join at their upper ends with a pair of opposed, spaced, horizontally disposed portions l9, l9. Below the portions I9 and joining with the lower ends of the portions I8 is another pair of horizontally disposed portions 20, 26 which constitute feet for the base. Both the upper horizontal portions l9 and the lower horizontal portions 29 are respectively connected by cross members i9 and 20, thus completing a tubular base which is virtually one continuous piece of tubular metal stock.

In this modified construction, the supporting rod H and the member or rod I3 are carried by the upper portions IQ of the base, and the studs or pins ll are carried by the portions N3 of the base; but it will be noted that their relative positions have not been altered to any material extent from that shown in Figs, 1, 2 and 3. Therefore, the brackets I 2 have substantially the same form as those shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. They may, however, be made of metal, and the top 1' may also be made of metal, if desired, and as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

As seen in Fig. 4, the top 1 comprises a flat plate 8 having its forward edge flanged over to form a ledge 9. The other marginal edges of the plate 3 either may or may not be provided with a marginal flange or head such as the bead I9 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, as may be preferred.

The procedure of adjusting the angular position of the top of this modified construction is identical to that previously described, and there fore need not be repeated.

While the specific details have been herein disclosed, the present invention is not limited thereto, since obvious changes and alterations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. a combined adjustable desk and easel of the class described, comprising a base, a support on said base, a top, a bracket on said top, said bracket having means slidably and pivotally mounting said top on said support, cooperatively interengageable means on one part of said bracket and on the base for selectively maintaining said top in adjusted positions in one range of angular adjustment and cooperatively interengageable means on another part of said bracket and on the base for selectively maintaining said top in adjusted positions in another range of angular adjustment, said cooperatively interengageable means each including stop means on the base, one of said stop means being disposed on a plane above the other, and said bracket having a plurality of stop-receiving notches in the opposite ends thereof.

2. A combined adjustable desk and easel of the class described, comprising a base having opposed, spaced sides, a supporting rod disposed intermediate said sides, a pair of brackets slidably and pivotally mounted on said supporting rod, a top carried by said brackets, the opposite ends of each bracket having a plurality of notches therein, and said base having a plurality of notch-engaging means projecting therefrom with which the notches in the respective ends of said brackets are engageable to selectively adjust the angularity of said top relative to said base, one of said notchengaging means being disposed on a plane above the other.

3. A combined adjustable desk and easel as defined in claim 2, wherein said brackets are each provided with a longitudinally extended slot through which said supporting rod extends, said slots terminating at one end in an offset notch in which said supporting rod engages to lock the top against sliding movements when the notches in one end of said brackets are engaged with the means projecting from said base.

A structure of the class described, comprising a base, a member adjustable relative to said base, and means for supporting said member on said base, said means including a fixed pivot element on said base, a bracket carried by said member, said bracket having a longitudinally extended slot therethrough throughwhich said pivot element extends, said bracket also having a plurality of notches in the opposite ends thereof, and said base having spaced stop means disposed at different elevations with which the notches in the respective ends of said bracket are engageable upon sliding movement of said member towards the respective spaced stop means, the notches in the ends of said bracket determining the angular position of said member relative to said base.

5. A combined adjustable desk and easel, comprising a base having a pair of exposed, spaced standards, a support extended horizontally between the standards, a top, and means for adjusta-bly mounting said top on said support in a plurality of selected positions of angular adjustment, said means including a pair of brackets, each having a longitudinally extended opening therethrough through which said support extends, the opposite ends of each of said brackets having a plurality of notches therein, each of said standards having a pin selectively engageable in the notches in one end of the respective brackets, and said base having additional means selectively engageable in the hotel es in the other end of said brackets, said latter means being located on a plane above the pins engageable by the other end of the brackets.

6. A combined adjustable desk and easel of the class described, comprising a substantially U-shaped base of continuous tubular stock, said base having a pair of spaced, substantially upright portions and a pair of spaced, substantially horizontally disposed portions joining the upper ends of the upright portions, a transversely disposed member fixed on said base adjacent to the juncture of the aforesaid upright and horizontal portions, a pair of brackets slidably and pivotally mounted on said member, a top carried by said brackets, said brackets having a plurality of notches in the opposite ends thereof, the horizontal portions of the base having a second transversely disposed member spaced from the firstnamed member, with the notches in one end of the brackets selectively engageable with the second member to adjust the angular position of said top, and said upright portions of the base having additional means transversely extended tnererrom V and with which the notches in the other end or the brackets are selectively engageable to i'urther adjust the angular position of said top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 632,804 Congour Sept, 12, 1899 1,188,792 Kormendy June 27, 1916 1,246,981 Moyer Nov. 20, 1917 1,493,891 Moore May 13, 1924 1,496,556 Romesberg June 3, 1924 1,858,103 Menon May 10, 1932 2,634,542 Bode Apr. 14, 1953 

